Combined Exercise and Cognitive Training System for Dementia Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

We investigated the efficacy of a combined exercise and cognitive training system that we devised for improvement of attention and concentration, cognition, and activities of daily living in older adults with dementia.A total of 100 dementia patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group was subjected to a combined exercise and cognitive training for 6 consecutive weeks. Evaluations were performed using the Trail Making Test-Part A, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and an N-type activities of daily living evaluation scale for the elderly.A comparison of the changes in scores on the evaluation scales between the intervention group and the control group showed significant interactions for all scores.The combined system is effective in increasing attention and concentration and improving cognitive function and activities of daily living in dementia patients.